Lake Bovilla & Mount Gamti
Lake Bovilla is a turquoise reservoir in the mountains an hour northeast of Tirana. A short trail up Mount Gamti takes you to a viewpoint above it.
What is Lake Bovilla?
Lake Bovilla is a 4.6 km² drinking-water reservoir 20–25 km northeast of Tirana, inside the Dajti National Park region. The dam was completed in 1996; the water sits at about 620 m and runs roughly 45 m deep. Swimming is prohibited because it supplies most of Tirana's tap water. Visitors come for the Mount Gamti viewpoint above it.
Sources: UKT, Tirana's water utility, Dajti National Park (AKZM), Lake Bovilla, Wikipedia
Lake Bovilla, by the numbers.
The one number that changes is the water level. It rises and falls 7–10 m through the year and is highest after the winter rains, so the lake looks fuller in spring than at the end of summer.
- Type
- Reservoir (artificial lake)
- Surface area
- 4.6 km²
- Maximum depth
- ≈ 45 m
- Elevation
- ≈ 620 m
- From Tirana
- 20–25 km · ~1 hour NE
- Dam completed
- 1996 (filled by 1998)
- Purpose
- Most of Tirana's drinking water
- Swimming
- Prohibited (drinking-water source)
Four ways to see Lake Bovilla.
A half-day hike, a full day with Krujë, a quad ride, or a 4×4 up the mountain road. Three of the four include hotel pickup, and on those you never drive the unpaved road yourself.
- № 01
The Classic Half-Day
Bovilla Lake & Gamti Mountain HikeThe lake and the Gamti trail in half a day, with hotel pickup.
Duration 4–6 hoursFrom €29 €20 / person - № 02
Bovilla Quad Highlights
ATV & Quad Bike Tour at Bovilla LakeRide a quad up the dirt track to the lake, with a guide.
Duration 3–4 hoursFrom €45 / person€45 per person sharing a quad (two per bike), €65 per person riding solo (one per bike).
- № 03
The 4×4 Adventure
Off-Road SUV Tour to Lake Bovilla & Mount GamtiThe rough track most rental cars turn back from, driven for you in a proper 4×4.
Duration ~3 hoursFrom €40 / person€40 per person sharing, minimum two guests, hotel pickup included. A private booking (at extra cost), a family pace and a sunset departure are all arranged on request.
- № 04
The Cultural Explorer
Bovilla Lake, Gamti Mountain Hike & Krujë CastleLake Bovilla in the morning, Krujë’s castle and bazaar in the afternoon.
Duration 8–9 hoursFrom €80 / person
Prefer a custom itinerary? Tell us what you have in mind. We sell direct and work online with no shopfront, which is how we keep prices low.
The short answers, then the full guides.
The questions people ask before they go, each with a one-line answer and a link to the full guide.
Getting there from Tirana
There is no bus. A tour, taxi or high-clearance car takes 60–75 minutes.
Best time and weather
Late April to mid-June and mid-September to October. Arrive before 10:00.
The Mount Gamti hike
1 km and 160 m up to the viewpoint, 35–45 minutes. The trail does not reach the summit.
Is it worth visiting?
Yes, if you go for the view. Who should skip it, and why.
What to bring
Grippy shoes, a hat, water and cash. Phone signal drops in the canyon.
Where to swim near Tirana
Not at Bovilla: it is Tirana's drinking water. The nearest lakes you can swim in are at Belsh.
Bovilla Canyon
The green river gorge on the road up, and when the light is best for photos.
Coming from Durrës or Golem
About 55 km and 1h30 to 1h45 each way. Three of our tours pick up on the coast.
Quad and ATV from Tirana
Guided rides up the mountain track. €45 sharing a quad, €65 solo.
Quad or 4×4?
Price, effort, weather and kids compared, so you book the one that fits.
Questions before you book
Group size, pickup, payment, fitness and cancellations.
All guides
Real trips, real guests.
Pulled straight from our Google reviews, in the travelers' own words after riding, hiking and touring Lake Bovilla with us.
A great time on this quad tour — everything is well organized and you feel safe, and let's not forget the amazing view over Lake Bovilla. In short: highly recommended, no hesitation. One of the best things we did in Tirana — 100% worth the money if you're a bit of a petrol head and a nature lover. Sorry for the power slides, lads, it wasn't me, ha ha. — Chris & Ellie, Ireland. Ermal was really responsive and flexible with the booking, able to accommodate me and my friends for a private tour of Lake Bovilla. Will definitely recommend this tour. Ermal is simply an excellent guide! We had an absolutely amazing time — he explains so much, talks about the culture, and points you to the best places. He's a fantastic, punctual, responsive driver, always smiling and lovely to be around. And the lake itself was simply magnificent. You have to do a tour with Ermal! Booked the Bovilla Lake Private Tour and it was a great experience — plenty of chances to chat and learn about Albania and nearby attractions, plus lots of good suggestions. We went on the morning tour and loved it: a beautiful place, and they took great care of us the whole trip. 100% recommended, I'd also add the Krujë tour. We booked a tour to Lake Bovilla with them. Ermal picked us up from the hotel and stayed with us the whole day — a professional, lovely, and interesting guy who taught us a lot about Albania: its history, culture and more. We had a wonderful time and recommend them warmly! We did the Lake Bovilla tour with Ermal and had a really lovely time. It was just me and a friend — Ermal picked us up right outside our hotel and guided the whole trip. A genuinely warm and kind person, we'd definitely recommend getting in touch with him. We chose Go Tour Albania for our trip to Bovilla Lake and were very happy with it. The early departure was a big plus, it wasn't hot yet, and when we arrived at the lake there was no one else there, so we had the view all to ourselves. Ermal shared interesting facts along the way and took plenty of great photos, he's a genuinely great photographer too. Highly recommended if you want to experience Bovilla Lake without the crowds.